An Internet chat room, which contained child pornography, has been shut down, and according to CNN, 27 people have been arrested in connection with the Web site.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez called the Web site “the worst imaginable forms of child pornography.”
The Web site in itself is disturbing, but the things that were done to the children are unforgivable and repulsive.
According to CNN, the Web site showed children from ages 18 months to 12 years old being molested.
One of the people charged in connection with the Web site- Brian A. Annoreno-is accused of having performed oral sex on an infant.
But where were the parents of these children when they were being objectified, molested and videotaped?
It is the parent’s responsibility to protect the child from all seen and unforeseen dangers, but it seems as if the children in this case have been let down. Not only should the individuals involved in the molestation be charged, but the parents of the children should also be charged with neglect.
A lack of responsible supervision resulted in what those children endured and now they must grow up with the mental, perhaps even physical, scars of their molestation.
The people involved with the molestations should never be allowed to be around children or outside the confines of a prison. Hopefully the judge presiding over the case will understand the seriousness of the situation and will make sure that the punishment fits the crime.
Amber Vaughn for the editorial board